Ynysddu Welfare progress in Welsh Youth Cup with hastily assembled team

Ynysddu Welfare progress in Welsh Youth Cup with hastily assembled team

Ynysddu Welfare, the club mistakenly entered in the Welsh Youth Cup when they did not have a team, have reached the second round of the competition.

The Gwent County League side sparked national interest and a huge response from would-be players, when an administration error saw them entered in to a competition featuring the youth teams of professional outfits Cardiff and Swansea.

Ynysddu put a side together at short notice after placing an appeal on social media, but were only able to hold one training session before their trip to Briton Ferry on Sunday.

Briton Ferry included six former Swansea Academy players in their team, but Ynysddu managed to complete a remarkable victory by winning 7-6 on penalties after drawing 2-2 after 120 minutes.

“I’m lost for words,” said Ynysddu manager Ben Murphy.

“When they equalised in extra-time I thought that would be the end of it, but we dug in.

“I don’t know how we found that energy in the last 30 minutes.

“They worked their socks off and to win it on penalties, well, I don’t think my heart could take another one of them!”

Ynysddu, backed by a large travelling support, trailed early on but Billy Evans equalised from the penalty spot.

Kean Davies then put Ynysddu ahead in extra-time before Ferry took the tie to penalties.

“If it hadn’t happened the way it has we would have probably scraped a side together and been the whipping boys for a couple of months,” said Murphy, who now hopes to form a permanent youth side.

“It’s incredible to be in the next round.

“I’d like someone Bangor away next, a nice, long away day.

“But the fact we’re in the draw for the second round and could possibly play Cardiff, Newport or Swansea is just unbelievable.”

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